Felton suspended for first four games with Mavericks

Former Latta High and Beach Ball Classic standout Raymond Felton has been suspended four games next season after pleading guilty to gun charges in New York, the NBA announced Thursday.

The Dallas Mavericks guard pleaded guilty last month to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. As part of a plea deal that allowed him to avoid jail time, Felton admitted he knowingly had a large-capacity ammunition magazine and a semi-automatic pistol without a license, according to ESPN.com.

Felton’s suspension will begin with the first game of the 2014-15 regular season.

“Today we were made aware of Raymond Felton’s suspension,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a statement. “We also learned that Raymond will be permitted to complete his community service outside the state of New York. The Mavericks are working with Raymond and the court to develop a community service program that will have a positive and lasting impact on North Texas.”

The criminal case arose when Felton was in the midst of the breakup of his marriage and a poor season with the New York Knicks. He was traded to Dallas along with Tyson Chandler in a six-player deal in June.

“I demonstrated poor judgment and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Felton said in a statement released by the Mavs. “Moving forward I’m eager to get to Dallas, to start fresh and make a positive impact in the Dallas metropolitan area.”

Felton had to pay a $5,000 fine and must do 5,000 hours of community service to satisfy the terms of his plea deal.